Definition of contralto in English:

noun (plural contraltos)

Julia Fordham sings in a smoky contralto that can also sweep upward to grab those higher tones when needed.

Handel was resolute in his recasting of an opera to suit the current performers, even moving heroines between sopranos and contraltos depending on the available cast and constantly adding new novelties to please the crowd.

Brought up within earshot of his aunt, the famed contralto Louise Homer, he wrote naturally for the female voice.